Amanze Chinonye
The estate of the late Nigerian banking executive, Herbert Wigwe, has been ranked seventh among the top overseas property owners in London, according to a recent analysis by The Londoner, based on data from Statisense.
The ranking lists 31 individuals and entities with the largest number of London properties, showing Wigwe’s estate linked to 106 properties, placing him ahead of several prominent global investors and sovereign wealth funds.
Leading the list is American investor John Corless, with 246 properties, followed by UK-based Sarah Bard (130), Simon Reuben (129), and Alexander Bard (122).
Join our WhatsApp ChannelWigwe’s holdings surpass those of high-profile figures such as Saudi billionaire Turki bin Salman Al Saud (84 properties) and Blackstone CEO Stephen Schwarzman (82 properties), highlighting the scale of his London real estate footprint.
READ ALSO : Mapping Herbert Wigwe’s London Property Empire: What New Transparency Data Shows
According to The Londoner, the data draws from newly accessible ownership records enabled by UK transparency reforms, which require overseas entities owning property in London to declare their beneficial owners.
These reforms have allowed analysts to trace thousands of properties held through offshore companies in jurisdictions such as the British Virgin Islands, Jersey, and Guernsey.
Experts say the ranking underscores the global reach of African business figures, with Wigwe’s estate joining an international cohort of high-net-worth individuals whose wealth is invested in London real estate.
The report provides insight into the flow of international capital into London and the continued use of offshore structures to manage and protect property assets.
The ranking offers a clearer picture of London’s property market as a global hub for cross-border investment, illustrating how estates and private investors from around the world including Nigeria have built significant portfolios in the capital.
Full List of Top 31 Overseas Property Owners in London
- John Corless – 246 properties
- Sarah Bard – 130
- Simon Reuben – 129
- Alexander Bard – 122
- Rit Thirakomen – 120
- Wolfgang Peter Egger – 120
- Herbert Wigwe (Estate) – 106
- Kenichiro Suzuki – 105
- Private Department Of… – 104
- Arshad Joosab – 103
- Richard Hobart John De Courcy – 102
- Khalid Alhomaizi – 101
- Fares El Farra – 100
- Radi El Natsha – 99
- Barry Stuart Sternlicht – 98
- Thian Poh Chua – 97
- Mooza Shaheen Al-Kuwari – 96
- Washington State Investment Board – 95
- Douglas Ryan – 94
- Costakis Spyrou – 93
- Timothy John Willis – 92
- Lachlan Williams – 91
- John Anthony Murphy – 90
- Tania Bard – 89
- Teddy Sagi – 88
- James Dyson – 87
- Evie Olivia Demosthenous – 86
- Qatar Investment Authority – 85
- Turki bin Salman Al Saud – 84
- Yu Mei Ding – 83
- Stephen Schwarzman – 82
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
